A Man In Black

The Late Letter

*James Moriarty* 

I was sitting in my study, feet up on the table. I hadn't bothered to get dressed into a suit that morning, I was wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans. My black hair was spiking up at random angles, as it usually did when I didn't use gel. 

Someone knocked at the door. I frowned. "Who the hell is that? No one disturb me while I'm in my stuuuudy!" 

"Sorry sir, but I think you'd be less pleased if I didn't disturb you about this." 

Sighing, I called. "Come in you irritating person, Moran." 

Sebastian Moran walked in, tall and handsome as ever, striding towards me. He saluted. 

"Oh get on with it, Sebastian." I rolled my eyes. 

*Sebastian*

I passed the piece of paper to James Moriarty, keeping my face impassive. I knew he hated being disturbed, and I couldn't help but notice he wasn't in a suit. That meant he was feeling tired, which also meant, he was more likely to get angry. 

James Moriarty gave me a glance, which I knew meant; if this isn't important I will behead you, and took the already opened envelope from my hands. He took out the letter inside, and began reading it. I could tell that at first he was skimming over it, until he read a certain part. His frown grew, and he reread the beginning. "When did this come?" he asked, in a dangerously calm voice. 

I knew at this moment he was in an uncertain mood, and I felt my throat go slightly dry. "This morning." 

He placed it on his desk, and clasped his hands together, looking at me with those dark eyes. "How come I did not receive this til now?" 

"Ms. Hillison did not give me the mail until ten minutes ago, as soon as I read it, I came straight here." I replied, as composed as possible. 

"Bring Ms. Hillison to me, Moran." he said in a curt voice. 

Oh damn, I know what's in store for her, I thought, but my face did not move a muscle. I knew that if it had, James would have most likely done something terrible. "Yes sir." I marched quickly out the door, sagging in relief as I closed it behind me. I was lucky I had escaped his anger. At least, I hoped I had. I called Ms. Hillison, and when she heard that her presence had been requested by Master Moriarty, she quaked visibly, and sobbed. 

"Pull yourself together, Miss Hillison, or else you definitely won't make it out of here alive. Now shut up the blubbering, and go to him as calmly as possible." I snapped at her. 

*Miss Hillison* 

I felt my hand trembling as I knocked on the Master's study. I was such a fool for not giving those letters to Mr. Moran sooner. I had just forgotten, that was all, but I should have known better. I heard that soft Irish accent call "Come in, dear" from behind the wood. His voice was so quiet, and it sounded like honey, but I knew he was like the bad wolf, so polite and kind, but as deadly as poison. I bit my lip hard, brushing my dark hair back behind my ear, as I turned the knob slowly... 

When I walked inside, I saw Moriarty standing by the window, looking outside at the snow covered fields. I curtsied, asking in my nicest voice. "You wanted to see me sir?" 

"So pretty, isn't it, the snow?" 

James Moriarty was like that, he would say the most random things, and then somehow connect it to you. But I couldn't see how I was like snow.

"So fresh, and innocent, untouched. Just like you, Miss Hillison." 

My heart quickened as he turned around, is brown eyes settling on me. "Y-yes sir." I stuttered, fear welling up in my heart. 

He walked slowly towards me, cocking his head. "But we all know that snow melts, Miss Hillison, it melts, and disappears, into the ground, never to be seen again." 

I didn't answer, I couldn't even bare to tear my terrified gaze away from his face. 

He walked around me, like an animal stalking its prey. I stayed petrified, rooted to the spot. He whispered in my ear. "Should I make you melt and disappear, Miss Hillison? Answer me now, or else your fate is sealed. Give me one good reason why I should not punish you."

All this over mail!? I thought, perhaps it had been important, perhaps it had been really important and by delaying giving it to him, I had endangered his whole business. But it was still only mail! 

I couldn't even speak I was so scared. 

James Moriarty huffed behind me, and I could almost see him rolling his eyes. "Why must you be so dull and boooring?" he asked, walking passed me, and sitting on the desk. 

"W-w-what?" 

"Don't be stupid, it's annoying. Now GET OUT OF MY SIGHT BEFORE I KIIIIIILL YOU!" he shrieked, insanity in his eyes.

I literally jumped out of my skin, and fled. 

*James Moriarty* 

I sighed, stupid girl, hopefully next time she would be more careful about being careless, picked up the letter on my desk, and read it once more. 

Jimmy Moriarty,

the ghosts say boo
because we're coming to get you

For once in my life, I felt scared.